Rustenburg: Olebogeng Modikoe, a 40-year-old employee at the North West Department of Education, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or a R20,000 fine by the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of fraud.
According to South African Police Service, in 2023, Modikoe, who was serving as a Principal Human Resource Officer, allegedly created two ghost employees on the department’s system, granting them three-month contracts. These fictitious employees received payments totaling R150,000.
The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation found that the salaries were deposited into the bank accounts of two individuals whose case is still pending in court. Following these findings, Modikoe and his co-accused were arrested in March 2024. Modikoe faced several court appearances before entering a plea and sentencing agreement with the State. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or a R20,000 fine on two fraud counts and an additional two years’ imprisonment or a R10,000 fine on two counts of money laundering.
Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, the North West acting Hawks Head, and Dr. Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, have both expressed approval of the sentencing, commending the efforts of the prosecution and investigation teams.